Queen's Head

Nooks and crannies, low beams stuffed with old pennies by farmers on their way home from market, and a log fire throughout the year make this smart 17th-century coaching inn hard to beat when it comes to old world charm. The lovely undulating valley of Troutbeck, with its maze of footpaths and stunning felltop views, is a magnet for ramblers. True to its roots, this inn offers sustenance and comfortable accommodation to the weary and footsore. The bar is perhaps its most remarkable feature, carved from a four-poster bed that once resided in Appleby Castle. Robinson's Brewery furnishes the likes of Cumbria Way, Old Tom and Dizzy Blonde at the pumps, while the chef's reputation for accomplished cooking is well established. The menu proffers hearty international fare ranging from a mezze of nuts, olives, feta and deep-fried haloumi to a starter of home-made black pudding with scallops, crispy bacon and mustard sauce followed by venison and Guinness cottage pie or moules marinière. Typical desserts include lemon posset and sticky toffee pudding.